Hiking Around The World – An Adventure On Every Continent (Part I)

Mountains Plus is a Pacific Northwest company, so we post a lot about local hikes, races, camping trips, and adventures. But this week and next week, we are traveling to all seven continents and finding the most breathtaking hike on each. WARNING: might inspire feelings of wanderlust, which may then cause you to sell your crap, quit your job, and hop on a plane. Don’t worry, it happens to us also.

In Part I of our adventure, we are traveling to Antarctica, Europe, and Asia.

Antarctica

We’ll begin our adventure at the world’s southernmost active volcano: Mount Erebus. Located on Antarctica’s Ross Island, Mount Erebus also shares the island with three inactive volcanoes: Mount Terror, Mount Tera Nova, and Mount Bird.

When traveling for pleasure to Antarctica, many adventures arrive on cruise ships that embark from South America. If you’re flying in, there are dorm-style accommodations available for civilians at McMurdo Station (located on the SW corner of the island, around 25 miles from the summit of Erebus). You’ll need to travel here during the summer months (November-January) because that is the only time the region experiences sunlight. The hike from McMurdo to the base of Erebus (trekking to the summit is prohibited) takes about four hours.

What to bring? Bundle up with cold weather clothing like the Patagonia Men’s Down Sweater which is 50% off right now at MP Gear!

Europe

Selecting “the best” hike in such a diverse continent as Europe is clearly impossible, but for our global exploration we decided to highlight “The Troll’s Tongue” in the Norwegian Fjords. Being a far more popular tourist spot than Antarctica (for obvious reasons), traveling here is much simpler. This spot is only reachable during the summer months, so bring your camping equipment because a.) Norway possesses laws which grant explorers freedom-to-roam, and b.) we are no longer in deadly weather.

“Trolltunga” (Troll’s Tongue) is a narrow rock that hovers above the Ringedalsvatnet lake and overlooks the Folgefonna plateau glaciers. Round trip, this hike takes about 10 hours and is fairly challenging. Hikers embark at Skjeggedal and experience breathtaking views throughout the entire journey.

What to bring? Grab a light day pack like the Granite Gear Habanero 28 which has an assortment of stash pockets and tie in points making it perfect for quick adventures.

Asia

Considered one of the best hikes in the world by many trekkers is Nepal’s Annapurna Circuit. Taking around 20 days to complete, this trek stretches across four different regions: Lamjung, Manang, Mustang and Myagdi.

The route goes past the following mountains: Manaslu (an 8,000-plus meter peak), Langtang Himal, Annapurna II and IV, Annapurna III, Gangapurna, Annapurna I, and Dhaulagiri. Between Annapurna I and Dhaulagiri, which peak at above 8,000 meters, you will hike through the world’s deepest gorge. The circuit also takes you through a number of Buddhist villages and Hindu holy sites.